Research Papers/Topics in Applied Botany

Ratio dependence effects of the parasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris on its associated host Tuta absoluta

Abstract: The invasion of Africa by the South American leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has caused a severe threat to the production of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae) crops. The excessive use of pesticides for controlling this pest has increased, together with the associated environmental and human health risks. The parasitoid, Dolichogenedia gelechiidivoris Marsh. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), has been imported into Africa for classical biological con...

Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology, and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Human Diarrheal Cases in Rwanda: A Review

Abstract: Diarrhea, often caused by microorganisms, has been associated with high morbidity and mortality in Africa. Increased rates of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens have reignited the quest for alternative therapies. This review aimed at identifying medicinal plants used in the treatment of human diarrheal cases in Rwanda and analyzing their ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry. We searched PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and the Web of Science for published...

An Assessment of the Rainfall and Temperature Variations in Parts of Northern Nigeria

Abstract The aim of the study is the assessment of rainfall and temperature variations in parts of Northern Nigeria. To achieve the aim, the study set out the following objectives (i) to determine variations in rainfall characteristics in terms of number of rain days, extreme rainfall amounts, variability and ranges; (ii) to determine variations in maximum, minimum and mean temperature patterns and using the time series to determine any trend in the change, (upward or downward) (iii) to pred...

The Study of Ethnobotanical Uses by Local Healers in Taktse Chiwog from Central Bhutan

Aim: To document the ethnobotanical uses in Taktse Chiwog (Village blocks) by local healers Study Design: Semi-structured interview and direct interview was conducted with the prior approval from the Chiwog official. Two local healers/informants were contacted for interview before field visits based on their popularity and experience of using medicinal plants in their locality. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Taktse Chiwog, Trongsa Dzongkhag, Bhutan between July and O...

Composition and Floral Resources of Bees and Butterflies in Kaya Muhaka Forest and Surrounding Farmlands, Kwale County, Kenya

ABSTRACT The current global pollination crisis and the importance of insects in pollination service that maintains the native plant populations, agricultural enterprise, ecosystem resilience and food security do motivate the concern to conserve insect pollinators. Kaya forests are rich in biodiversity and endemism; they are potential sites for conservation of these pollinators in the coastal region of Kenya. However, they are threatened by illegal deforestation, charcoal burning, settlement ...

Enviromental audit of the tunukanbo forests of the niger delta Nigeria

The environmental audit of the Tunu/Kanbo area of Niger Delta, Nigeria was carried out to assess the impact of logging and timber exploitation in the area. The audit showed a high loss of endangered, threatened and economic forest species in the area; e.g Terminalia superba. The unlawful logging and “forest abuse” common in the area is detrimental to conservation of biodiversity attempts and ideals. It is recommended that regeneration efforts be put in place and intensified so as to esche...

Nutritional and Biochemical Contents of Pepper (Capsicum spp)

         ABSTRACT Pepper (Capsicum spp) belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is an important vegetable crop in Nigeria as it is one of the most varied and widely used foods in Nigeria as virtually every Nigerian home consumes it on a daily basis. The genus Capsicum represents a diverse plant group and includes twenty-seven species; five domesticated and twenty-two undomesticated (Bosland, 1993). The domesticated species are Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum ...

STEM AND ROOT ROT DISEASES OF CUCUMBER

ABSTRACT Cucumber has been an essential vegetable crop in the world being affected by Pythium, fusariium and phythophtora. Root and stem rot of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum, is a new catastrophic disease of greenhouse crops in Greece and some other countries Fusarium oxysporum causes rotting of roots, lower stems and pythium also causes seedling damping off which is widely spread across cropping soils. Fusarium root and stem rot occur mos...

The Hemi-parasitic Mistletoe and It's Effects on Tree Population

A seminar research was conducted within Sokoto metropolis of Nigeria to identify the physiological and anatomical effects of mistletoe on the tree population, to which the research yield a tremendous result in which the mistletoe affect the tree to a level where the mistletoe brings about the total cell death (apoptosis) of various organs of the organism resulting in the organism total inactivity ie death

EFFECT OF TYPE OF CUTTINGS ON ROOTING OF ANACARDIUM

Vegetative propagation method through induction of adventitious rooting in both softwood and semi- hardwoodhypocotyl plus stem (HpS) and juvenile stem (JS) was reported in Anacardium occidentale, an average size tropical evergreen tree belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. The induction of adventitious roots is an essential process in vegetative propagation. Adventitious rooting in above cuttings was induced by exogenous application of root promoting substances (RPS) viz. Indole-3-butyri...

Comparative Studies on the Pedological Characteristics, Morphological Traits and Productivity Indices of Three Species of the Genus Ipomoea in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Comparative studies on the pedological characteristics, morphological traits and productivity indices of three species of the genus Ipomoea was done in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Morphological parameters (leaf length, leaf width and leaf area index) and productivity indices (chlorophyll a, b carotenoids and Chlorophyll Concentration Index (CCI)) of these species were determined using standard methods. The results showed that amongst the three species studied Ipomoea mauritiana ...